Public Information Officer

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 134,636 USD and 173,585 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located within the Strategic Communications Service of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. The position is based in Kabul, Afghanistan (Kabul is classified as a Hardship "E" duty station and a non-family duty station). The incumbent will report to the Chief, Strategic Communications Service.

UNAMA was established by UN Security Council Resolution 1401 in March 2002 at the request of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Its mandate is reviewed annually with the latest renewal being on 15 September 2020 when the Security Council adopted Resolution 2543 (2020). Resolution 2543 calls for UNAMA and the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, within their mandate and in a manner consistent with Afghan sovereignty, leadership and ownership, to continue to lead and coordinate international civilian efforts in full cooperation with the Government of Afghanistan.

Responsibilities Within delegated authorityand in close coordination with the Chief of the Strategic Communications Service, the Public Information Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

- Play a leading role in preparing strategy, compiling top stories, planning and coordinating the production of a range of multi-media content in promoting issues in support of UNAMA’s communications strategy and tactics (e.g., global promotion initiatives, country-wide public information programmes, broad-reaching subject specific issues, etc.).

- Drafts complex and politically sensitive material, including press releases, news stories, features, interviews, messages, talking points, social media content, UN newsletters, periodicals, reports, and books, and edits drafts prepared by junior officers.

- Provides advice and expertise to managers, senior officers and other public information staff on a range of public affairs issues, methods, and approaches related to the production of online news, and related content for target audiences; in coordination with Chief, Strategic Communications, anticipates and resolves communications/public relations issues/problems.

- Leads the Print and Digital team in planning, coordinating and carrying out content production of daily news and multimedia features; mentors and supervises the work of junior officers.

- Organizes editorial meetings to identify availability of multimedia content and prioritize coverage of news and features.

- Provides editorial guidance to all language teams and sources audio and social media content to accompany content production.

- Liaises with Media Relations and Outreach units for pertinent news information, guidance on editorial matters, and also information for planning purposes.

- Keeps abreast of latest developments in multimedia production, technological innovations and marketing techniques in the news and social media industries and ensures the successful integration of such tools in all platforms.

- Evaluates results and impact of communications activities; reports on developments, trends and attitudes regarding UNAMA.

- Organizes programme reviews of content and impact analysis.

- Represents the Service in meetings and conferences planning and implementing promotional efforts including media coverage through effective liaison with media contacts and broadcasting organizations on major issues and events concerning the Mission.

- Builds information networks; plans and oversees maintenance of publicly accessible information materials on UNAMA.

- Assists in the day-to-day operations of the Service and participates in coordination of substantive and administrative activities of the Service.

- Serves as Officer-in-Charge of the Service, as required.

- Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Excellent knowledge of digital media trends and technologies, including social media. Knowledge of different aspects of public information and communication. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local conditions. Ability to conceptualize, design and implement major information campaigns. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in the public information arena, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required. Experience managing public information and communication strategies in politically sensitive environments (such as faced in conflict or post-conflict environments) is required. Experience in managing "corporate" social media platforms is required. Excellent drafting skills in English and experience in drafting and editing for publication and for social media in English are required. Familiarity with UN public information policies and procedures is desirable. Relevant working experience in/on the South Asia and Central Asia Regions is desirable. Experience in UN peace operations in the field is desirable. Experience as a spokesperson and in drafting speeches is desirable. Experience in multi-media production is desirable. Experience in result-based project management is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.

Assessment Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice This "Recruit from Roster" job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.